5.08.2015

Angry Reader of the Week: Akemi Look

"If the system tells us that we do not belong, we need to create our own system."

Hey, folks! Welcome to another edition of the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Akemi Look.

Who are you?

Still searching for the answer to that. My given name is Taryn, but I prefer Akemi because it makes me feel closer to my roots. My last name is Look! I will always ask, "Where?"

What are you?

In my imagination I'm this totally kick-ass actress. In reality, I'm a sensitive person just trying to understand and create meaning out of life. Also been described as one badass b*itch. Whoops there it goes.

Where are you?

On my couch in LA.

Where are you from?

Born in NYC, raised in a suburb outside of Detroit, lost myself, then found myself back in NYC.

What do you do?

I see myself as a collector—of fleeting moments, characters, fragments of recalled conversations... feelings. I weave them together into some tapestry of experience and lay it out there for the world to see.

One dimensional Asian stereotypes. The lack of Asian-AMERICAN stories and representation in TV and Film. Not being "Asian" enough to play Asian. Not being "White" enough to play American. Not being enough. But I am enough, and there are others just like me who are enough too. We NEED tell our stories, support our artists, cheer on our sisters and brothers paving the way. Asian Americans DO NOT HAVE A VOICE in American culture. I'm fucking sick of it. If the system tells us that we do not belong, we need to create our own system. Collectively, we must encourage Asian Americans to create. Most of us were not raised to do so. We were raised to become doctors, lawyers, accountants; Bred to make money, fit nicely into the system. "Don't cause a scene." "Obey your parents." How many of us want to be artists, writers, filmmakers, actors... but don't have the courage because we don't think that we belong or are allowed to?